Does my dream traditional fixed blade exist?

Parke1

Parke1

Joined
Feb 11, 2003
Messages
1,862
I've been on the hunt for a traditional styled fixed blade knife for years now. I've bought a lot of knives during the course of this hunt, but they never really seem to scratch the itch, so to speak. Here's what I'm looking for, or at least an outline of specifics that would meet my mystical criteria:

1. High Quality stainless (or stain resistant) blade (like CPM154, D2, etc)
2. Full tang/slab handle construction.
3. Single quillion guard.
4. Spear point or drop point blade.
5. 6.5-7" blade length.
6. Stag or jigged bone handle scales.

I'd be willing to let any one of the criteria slide, except the bone or stag handle. That's a must. A little longer (or a hair shorter) blade would suffice, or carbon instead of stainless. Generally, though, I'd really love to stick to the above list. A shorter version of a Case Rio Grande camp knife would be perfect, although it has a double ended guard.

Maybe I'm being too picky, and I may have to go with a custom maker, but I thought maybe one of our resident knife encyclopedias here in the traditional forum might know just the knife for me.

Thanks for any help!
-Dan
 
klc05138_rio_grande_bowie_ce_pop_up.jpg

Think this knife, but with a shorter blade, and single quillion (is that the right word here?) guard.
 
I use the term "lug" instead of quillon. Quillon is mostly for daggers. If you can't find a factory knife that you like contact me using the info. in my sigline and I'll be glad to give you a quote.
 
I've seen a few bark rivers with stag and guards. You may want to check them out.
 
For production, Bark River was my first thought also. 12C27 or another Sandvik steel might be your only option, although I believe that BRKT has used S35VN. Mike might not use stainless for a chopper, preferring tool steel instead? Plenty of custom makers out there though, although I am not sure how many would use a full guard.
 
Well, I've exhaustively looked through Bark River's offerings, and while they have some gorgeous knives, I don't really see any that quite fit the bill. Now I'm leaning toward some of the circa 1999-2000 Marbles models that have pinned stag slabs and stag pommel caps. They seem to be pretty elusive, though. I might wind up snagging another Case Rio Grande off the auction site when I can and having it shortened. I kinda hate to do that to a fairly rare knife, though.
 
My suggestion is custom from one of the many fine makers here on the forum, of which you have already heard from Darrin. When you get that specific, usually only a custom will scratch the itch. Good luck.
 
Mink said:
My suggestion is custom from one of the many fine makers here on the forum, of which you have already heard from Darrin. When you get that specific, usually only a custom will scratch the itch. Good luck.
Click to expand...

Agreed. :)
Not that it's any different from folding knives... :rolleyes:

Fausto
:cool:
 
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